Project 10073 Record Card — Sighting Report 12 Oct 60

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and an associated naval message regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed on October 12, 1960. The sighting was reported by three officers stationed on a destroyer. The object was observed moving rapidly across the sky, starting at an elevation of 5 degrees and an azimuth of 120 degrees, and ending at an elevation of 40 degrees and an azimuth of 180 degrees. The observers noted that the object was definitely not an aircraft or a shooting star. Its initial brilliance was described as slightly brighter than a first magnitude star, after which it steadily diminished. The duration of the observation was approximately eight minutes. The naval message, dated October 16, 1960, provides the coordinates of the sighting as 23-59N 30-23.2E, placing the event in the middle of Egypt. The message also speculates that the object might have been a 'Russian Mars shot,' citing propitious conditions mentioned in a newspaper report from October 13, 1960. The official conclusion recorded on the Project 10073 card is that there is 'Insufficient Data for Evaluation.' The investigator noted that the report lacked specific details, such as magnetic bearing and ship heading, which prevented a more precise positioning or identification of the object. Consequently, the case was closed due to insufficient data.